A study conducted in India found that replacing chemical fertilisers with organic ones allows vegetables to regain the nutrients lost over decades of intensive agriculture.
Plant-based burgers: why it’s better to read the label
A test by Altroconsumo found that plant-based burgers often contain high levels of additives and salt, making them ultra-processed foods.
- Plant-based burgers are created as a protein alternative to meat, but their industrial production often turns them into ultra-processed foods.
- A test by Altroconsumo on 14 plant-based burgers revealed that in many cases they contain numerous additives and high levels of salt.
- From a nutritional standpoint, industrial plant-based burgers have shown a different profile compared to meat-based ones, not an equivalent one.
- Reading the label helps to understand the actual list of ingredients and nutritional values.
Plant-based burgers, usually made from legumes, are appreciated by vegetarians but also by those who want to vary their protein sources. They can be prepared at home or purchased as industrial products. When it comes to the latter, extra attention is needed in reading the label (ingredient list and nutrition table) to understand exactly what they contain.
Plant-based burgers: what emerged from the Altroconsumo test
An Altroconsumo test showed that, among the 14 industrial burgers analysed, there is often a presence of additives and sometimes high amounts of salt. These products are mainly based on soy, peas or wheat, to which oils (rapeseed, sunflower, coconut), vegetables, fibres and starches are added to provide structure, along with additives such as stabilisers, acidity regulators, antioxidants, flavourings and colourings to mimic the texture of meat and improve shelf life, taste and cooking performance.
The average energy content of the burgers analysed is about 190 kcal per 100 grams, but it ranges from a minimum of 113 kcal to a maximum of 291 kcal. Fat content also varies widely, from 2.9 to 19 grams per 100 grams, and quality depends on the oil used: products using only sunflower oil stay below 1 gram of saturated fat, while those with coconut oil or fat can reach 6.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams. As for salt, the test ranges from 0.75 grams per 100 grams to 1.9 grams, more than double.
The nutritional profile is different
Industrial plant-based burgers have not proven to be equivalent to meat. According to the test, they are lacking in iron and vitamin B12 (only 2 out of the 14 burgers analysed contained added B12). In terms of protein, some of the tested products showed significantly lower levels compared to meat burgers.
Beware of ultra-processed foods, even in plant-based diets
In 2022, the World Health Organization explained in a report that following a plant-based diet does not automatically mean eating healthily, highlighting that many industrial plant-based products can in fact be ultra-processed foods.
The advice, therefore, is to choose vegan products with simple formulations and include them in a varied and balanced diet.
Siamo anche su WhatsApp. Segui il canale ufficiale LifeGate per restare aggiornata, aggiornato sulle ultime notizie e sulle nostre attività.
Quest'opera è distribuita con Licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale.
L'autenticità di questa notizia è certificata in blockchain. Scopri di più
Italy’s Health Ministry has temporarily authorised the use of Dormex in kiwi plantations in southern Italy. The substance has been banned in the country since 2008 due to its toxicity
Europe’s organic market reached a record €59 billion in 2024. Italy leads in organic farmland share and number of producers, says FiBL report.
Ultra-processed foods share more characteristics with cigarettes than with fruits and vegetables: according to researchers, regulating them like tobacco could reduce the risks to public health.
Immunologist Attilio Speciani explained his views on the new US food pyramid, offering an analysis of the guidelines and the influence of lobbying.
Fao has proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Women Farmers, to promote global action for gender equality and women’s empowerment in agri-food systems.
In Australia, researchers are investigating how microbes—including those found in soil—may influence emotional states and social relationships through the gut–brain axis.
With the approval of the soil directive by the European Parliament, member states have three years to establish monitoring systems and promote solutions for sustainable soil management.
Oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds have been linked in an Australian study to benefits for longevity, memory, and joint mobility.